Transportation Security Administration officers at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport said a man tried to pass through security with a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag early Friday morning.

TSA officials said an officer was performing security screening functions at the checkpoint X-ray machine when he detected a handgun in the Pennsylvania man’s carry-on bag.

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TSA contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority police who responded, confiscated the loaded handgun, a loaded .380-caliber Ruger, and arrested the man on a state weapons charge. The man was originally ticketed to fly to Nashville, Tenn.

"TSA screens approximately 32,000 passengers and their carry-on bags each day at BWI, and our TSA officers remain focused on threats to the traveling public," said Andrea R. Mishoe, TSA's federal security director at the airport.

As a reminder, weapons -- including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition -- are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Passengers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA.

Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.

TSA details how to properly travel with a firearm on its website. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.